Can Tucson Concrete Pros do Concrete Removal?

The short answer is yes.

Planning to dismantle a concrete patio, revamp a concrete driveway, or completely reconstruct a concrete basement floor? The cost of demolition might pleasantly surprise you. The price range for concrete removal typically spans from $200 to $6,000, depending on the size of the area in question.

It’s important to note that many contractors establish a minimum project cost for concrete demolition, especially if you’re not also engaging them for the installation of a new concrete patio or the replacement of your driveway. Consequently, for such projects, you can anticipate a total expenditure ranging from $1,000 to $6,000, with an average expense of roughly $2,000 for a 500-square-foot space.

Cost per square foot to Remove Concrete

On average, the expense of removing a concrete slab typically falls within the range of $2 to $6 per square foot. For instance, for a small concrete floor measuring 100 square feet, the cost could potentially be as low as $200.

However, it’s important to note that some contractors may impose a project minimum, usually around $1,000, regardless of the project’s size. This minimum cost helps cover their expenses for traveling to your location and typically includes the costs associated with removing the concrete debris.

Conversely, if you’ve also hired contractors to replace your flooring, patio, or driveway, some may offer lower demolition rates, dropping them to as low as $1.50 per square foot. This might result in an overall project cost increase due to the higher expenses associated with paving a driveway or installing a concrete patio. However, your concrete demolition costs, in isolation, would be reduced.

The average cost of removing a concrete slab is normally between $2 and $6 per square foot. For instance, the price may be as little as $200 for a modest concrete floor measuring 100 square feet.

But regardless of the scale of the project, it’s crucial to be aware that certain contractors can want a project minimum, typically $1,000. This minimal fee normally covers the costs involved with clearing the concrete debris as well as their travel expenditures to get to your place.

On the other hand, some contractors may offer lower demolition prices, decreasing them to as low as $1.50 per square foot if you’ve also hired them to rebuild your flooring, patio, or driveway.

  • 100sqft = $200 - $600
  • 200sqft = $400 - $1,200
  • 600sqft = $600 - $1,800
  • 400sqft = $800 - $2,400
  • 500sqft = $1,000 - $3,000
  • 600sqft = $1,200 - $3,600
  • 700sqft = $1,400 - $4,200
  • 800sqft = $1,600 - $4,800
  • 900sqft = $1,800 - $5,400
  • 1,000sqft = $2,000 - $6,000

Factors Affecting Concrete Removal Cost

Your concrete patio or concrete driveway removal cost will likely depend on a number of things, such as:

Minimum Projects

While many contractors advertise a concrete driveway or patio removal cost ranging from $2 to $6 per square foot, it’s important to note that for smaller sections of your driveway or patio, they may impose a project minimum. This minimum amount is designed to make the effort financially viable for them.

This implies that even for very modest projects, you could end up paying around $1,000 to have professionals handle the concrete demolition and disposal for you.

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Project's Purpose

Certain contractors might offer reduced per-square-foot rates if you’re employing them for a more extensive project, such as replacing a driveway, patio, or floor. While this can result in a decrease in your concrete demolition expenses, it will correspondingly increase the overall cost of the larger project. For instance, replacing a garage floor can cost as much as $11,700

Reinforcements in Concrete

Likewise, if your concrete flooring incorporates steel bars or wire mesh reinforcement to support heavy loads, contractors will require additional time and effort to demolish the area. Consequently, this factor can result in higher quotes, often exceeding $6 per square foot.

Geographic Location

The labor costs involved with tearing out a concrete patio, driveway, or floor can vary depending on where you live. Ordinarily, compared to rural and suburban locations, urban and coastal places with higher cost of living tend to have higher labor rates.

Concrete Density

Contractors primarily determine your concrete removal cost based on square footage, but they also take into account the thickness of the concrete. Typically, concrete measures 4 to 6 inches in thickness, although heavier-duty concrete can be 8 inches thick or even more.

Accessibility

The entire cost of removing concrete may go up if the project site is difficult to get to, presents possible hazards, or necessitates working in hazardous weather.

Are there any permits involved in the building process?

Before beginning any demolition work, getting a permit could be required in some states and localities. Obtaining a permit is unquestionably necessary when creating a new driveway or patio. Depending on where you live, permits might cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Although it is good to speak with local officials on permit requirements, skilled contractors frequently handle the permit process on your behalf, saving you the hassle.

Cost of Concrete Slab Removal vs. Repair

In some circumstances, repairing the current concrete slab rather than fully replacing it might be the more sensible course of action. It normally costs between $1 and $5 per square foot to repair minor cracks in concrete or to resurface it. By using this method, you may focus on a few trouble spots rather than incurring the cost of renovating the entire concrete slab.

Your repair expenses, however, can go up if the concrete flooring leaks. The typical cost of fixing a slab leak is $3,100, and this usually involves calling in a local plumber to take care of the problem.

Frequently, homeowners seek to remove concrete as a preliminary step to make way for the installation of various new elements, including:

  • A new driveway
  • A new foundation
  • A new walkway
  • A new deck
  • A new patio

Naturally, the costs of these additional installations will be added to your overall project costs. For instance, putting in a new foundation typically costs roughly $10,000.

Ways to Cut Costs on Concrete Removal

  1. Bundle with a larger project: Contractors often offer reduced rates for concrete demolition when you hire them for a larger project, such as the installation of a new driveway, patio, or deck.

  2. Consider DIY (Do-It-Yourself): While tackling a substantial concrete removal job might not be feasible for most homeowners, if it involves a smaller slab, you could potentially handle it with tools like a sledgehammer or a rented jackhammer to keep costs down. Keep in mind that you’ll also need to factor in debris removal expenses, either through professional services or by doing it yourself. Obtain quotes from reputable junk removal companies in your area to explore cost-effective options.

  3. Opt for repairs over replacement: If your concrete is in decent condition but has a few troublesome areas, you may save money by addressing specific issues with repairs instead of completely demolishing and installing new concrete.

  4. Seek multiple quotes: Don’t settle for the first quote you receive from contractors. It’s advisable to obtain at least three quotes from well-reviewed businesses and then choose the bid and contractor that align with your preferences and needs.

Doing it yourself vs hiring a professional

You can remove modest amounts of concrete on your own, but you’ll need to buy or rent specialized instruments like a sledgehammer and a jackhammer. When renting both instruments, the cost typically starts at around $55, but it can go up to $300 depending on the items you choose and how long you need them for. You’ll also need to be able to move the debris and dispose of it correctly. It’s important to remember that this activity is physically hard and can be dangerous if the right safety measures are not performed.

For these reasons, regardless of the scope of the project, we advise that the majority of homeowners think about hiring a reputable concrete business. Obtain bids from dependable concrete businesses in your area, then choose the one that gives you the best options for your given budget.